Today, the ruins of Kawagoe Castle are not noticeable among the city area. Only part of the Main Hall remains in the Main Enclosure and some related historical items are preserved or restored around. Let us first seek for some of the traces of the castle in the city area before visiting the Main Hall in the center.
現在、川越城跡は市街地に埋もれてしまっているような感じです。本丸御殿が部分的に残っているのと、関連する遺跡、遺物がいくつか周辺にあるか、復元されているくらいです。この記事では、中心部の御殿に行く前に、市街地に残る城の痕跡をいくつか探してみようと思います。
Kawagoe Castle was located in modern day Kawagoe City of Saitama Prefecture at the central part of the Kanto Region. Its former castle town is known as the street with many Kura storehouses and named as a little Edo, which attracts many tourists. The castle and town were developed with a deep relationship with Edo City (the current Tokyo), the shogun’s capital.
川越城は、関東地方の中央部、現在の埼玉県川越市にあった城でした。旧城下町は蔵造りの街並みとしてよく知られ、「小江戸」とも呼ばれて、多くの観光客を引きつけています。城と城下町は、将軍の都・江戸（現在の東京）と深い関わりを持ちながら発展してきました。
In the morning of the 9th August of 1945, a US B-29 bomber, called Bockscar, was carrying the second atomic bomb to Japan. In fact, its first target was the arms factory of Kokura (in the third enclosure of Kokura Castle).
1945年8月9日の午前、アメリカ軍のＢ－２９爆撃機「ボックスカー」号が日本に投下する２発目の原爆を搭載し飛行していました。実は、その第１目標は小倉の陸軍造兵廠（小倉城の三の丸）でした。
The design of the current Main Tower is very different from the original one which had simple roofs. The current tower apparently has many decorations like large hip-and-gables, which the original one didn’t have.
現在の天守のデザインは、シンプルな屋根を持っていたオリジナルの天守とは随分違っています。現在の天守の外観は、入母屋破風など多くの屋根装飾があり、それらはオリジナルの天守にはなかったものです。
The top floor of the Main Tower hanged out, which was called Western Style. This was because its balcony and handrails were covered by black outer walls to prevent damage from bad weather and strong wind.
You can also visit other attractions regarding Shiroishi Castle in the former castle town. First of all, there is a remaining Samurai Residence in the former third enclosure, in the north of the castle. The residence was confirmed to be built in 1730.
旧城下町のエリアにも、白石城に関する見どころがいくつもあります。まず挙げられるのは、城の北側の三の丸にある武家屋敷です。この武家屋敷は、1730年に建てられたことが確認されています。
The restored three-level Main Tower is on the corner of the stone walls of the main enclosure, which looks really great! Not only is it a symbol of the castle but also of the city. It could also had been seen as the authority of the lord as well as a threat to enemies when the original tower was there.